I’m absolutely hooked on weaving. My class yesterday was wonderful, and I understood a great deal of it, though the new vocabulary is a bit tricky. We learned to warp the loom and all that is involved with that, as well as a good bit of history (although I can’t say I have any idea what she said regarding that…)

Weaving is a great way to utilize some of the yarn I have that I can’t knit with! Cottons, silks, even acrylics… I’m so excited to finally get into some of the pretty yarns I have! The picture above is of my second project…Yes I was so enthused when I got home yesterday that I finished the class project and warped a second because I couldn’t wait to use the cute peachy cotton yarn I had in my drawer!

I have something I need to declare, and I need to state it publicly because it’s harder to back out of something once you’ve told other people you’ll do it (I hope.) Starting tomorrow (only because I already can’t remember today’s list) I’m writing every single thing I eat or drink in that little book in the image above (which also happens to be my impromptu knitting idea book, so the incentive to carry it around is good.)I haven’t decided what to do with that information yet.

I think I just need to take stock.

I know I eat a ton of those cute high-fiber crackers with suns and wheat stalks imprinted on them. I know I eat a ton of lite Finlandia cheese (cream cheese but a lot lighter.)I know I eat a lot of Activia yogurts, because they have the best flavors…(unfortunately the low-fat one’s suck.)I eat a lot of tomatoes…

My energy is really low, and I’m always hungry. I can’t summon the energy to go out with Ceci and friends because I can’t handle having to speak The Language all night. My mood is swinging violently. I can’t seem to kick the cough lodged in my chest. I think I’m sleeping way too much.

I think I’ll add also that I’m keeping track of how much I sleep, how much I get out of the house and how my energy levels feel throughout the day.

I feel like with all the hustle before I left for this trip I didn’t get to do my yearly self-evaluation and re-adjustment and I think now is the time. Something’s gotta give or I’m going to waste this adventure away…

I’m still alive! Still in South America too:) This post has nothing to do with that though, sorry.

Recently I joined in on a year-long journey called Project Spectrum. You can read a bit about it and see some group photos here!Also more of my photos here! The idea is to incorporate a special focus involving color into your everyday creative practices. This year’s theme is Cardinal Directions, and we are just wrapping up North and it’s associated color, which was green. We are moving into East, and yellow! For that I am excited to announce that I’m taking a weaving class and it begins on Saturday! I’m really thrilled, as weaving is something I’ve wanted to learn for a long time and never found the time or money for. What better time than this? Above is a photo of my new loom, and my first skein of yellow yarn!

I haven’t mentioned this here, but I’ve been on a mission to find a hula hoop here in Argentina. It’s a great way to exercise, and I really miss my hoop back home! It’s not a very common item here in AR, so I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to find the materials or a pre-fab hoop to buy. Wouldn’t you know that one block from my house there’s a hardware store with everything I needed for about $5 US?!

The kindly man in the hardware store really didn’t understand what was going on, but he was very nice and helpful and interested in learning what I was doing. Broken Spanish be damned, we’re makin’ friends! Thanks for all your help Fernando!

You can tell how anxious I was to finish based on my CRAP tape job:) I was rushing so fast! It’s a bit different from what I’m used to, more flexible and lighter. I had some difficulty with it but I figure it’s been about 6 months since I hooped, I was hooping on the sidewalk outside my building, and my shirt has lycra and rayon in it…slippery! I think this one will work out nicely once I get the environment right. Need music, for sure!

My first Argentine hoop! They don’t seem to have much of a hoop culture here…I hope I find some folks!

I made my flatmate laugh today…in Spanish. Through her I am beginning to find faith. Faith in the power of human connections that erase all barriers of language and culture and make all things possible for those who are willing to open their hearts and minds.